The Philippine Government has initiated an inquiry into its own police force following a significant operation targeting an online gaming firm that led to the rescue of over 700 victims of forced labor and human trafficking. Government officials believe it would not have been possible to operate such a business without the police's knowledge.

An independent government watchdog revealed on Monday that businesses belonging to a Ukrainian billionaire linked to Russian interference in U.S. elections received a total of US$21 million in small business loans from the U.S. government.